Naugle: Developer Shouldn`t Expect Cash

FORT LAUDERDALE -- When the city begins talking with Reynolds Metals Development Co. about redeveloping the beachfront, Mayor Jim Naugle wants one message perfectly clear:

Don`t expect the city to put any more money into beach redevelopment. And don`t expect any state tax money to be available, either.

``One of the problems we`ve had in the past is that other (developers) have been under the mistaken impression that there`s going to be some future tax windfall to help them develop property,`` Naugle told city commissioners on Tuesday.

Naugle`s remarks came after commissioners decided not to pay $2.1 million for 1.1 acres of vacant property on Las Olas Boulevard near the beach. The price -- $45 a square foot -- is one-third higher than commissioners wanted to spend. They agreed to the purchase only if the price drops to $30 a square foot, or $1.4 million, for land owned by Robert Marlin.

``I think we should buy it if it`s a bargain. If it`s not, let`s look at property someplace else,`` Commissioner John Aurelius said.

Commissioner Carlton Moore criticized the decision, saying that if the city is not prepared to try harder, it should scrap its plan for a master developer to guide a major rebuilding of the 121-acre central beach.

``If we`re not going to even attempt to gather public dollars, then we shouldn`t jerk around Reynolds or anybody else,`` Moore said. ``I don`t think we should send that message.``

Moore wants to see the city continue to seek money from tourist taxes, bonds or any other source that will allow the city to buy more beach property. Since November, two developers have dropped out of negotiations with the city, complaining that Fort Lauderdale owns too little property for a successful redevelopment project.

FOR THE RECORD - ******THE FOLLOWING CORRECTION WAS PUBLISHED JUNE 18, 1992******Because of an editing error, a box accompanying a story on page 3B in Wednesday`s editions incorrectly described where Fort Lauderdale officials are considering placing new parking meters along the beach. The proposed meters would be along State Road A1A between Northeast 14th Court and Northeast 18th Street.We regret the error.

``Both walked away because we have nothing to offer,`` Moore said.

The purchase of the Marlin land was to be paid for with parking bond revenues. It would have given the city nearly 12 acres for redevelopment just north and south of Las Olas Boulevard, near the beach.

OTHER ACTION

The Fort Lauderdale Commission on Tuesday:

-- VOTED 3-2 to allow dog owners to take their pets to Riverwalk during a three-month trial period. Owners must keep dogs on a leash and clean up after them.

-- DELAYED until September a decision on $1-an-hour parking meters on State Road A1A along Birch State Park.

-- AGREED to resurrect the Riverwalk signature brick program, which allows people to buy engraved bricks on the New River walkway.

-- ASKED staff to draft a new ordinance governing where vendors can operate.